Issue 136 - SafetyNet Journal 136
Welcome to SafetyNet Journal 136, your source for the latest OHS news from Australia and around the world. If you haven't done so already please fill in our SafetyNet Survey, and don't forget to have a look at some of the great shows at Comedy at Trades.Union News
Research
WorkSafe News
Worksafe Prosecutions
International News
Events
Union News
Activities / News for Reps
Two fatalities as state hit by wild weather
Two people died on the job during Victoria’s wild storm weather and its aftermath this week. On Tuesday April 2 a 47-year-old construction worker was killed when a warehouse frame collapsed during winds in Melbourne’s South East. WorkSafe is investigating to what extent the winds played a part in the tragedy. An elderly pedestrian was also killed in a separate incident when strong winds blew over a brick wall.
A power worker was electrocuted and killed whilst restoring power to homes in Mornington, southeast of Melbourne on Thursday 3 April. The 38-year-old man was harnessed to the top of an electricity pole when the incident occurred.
According to MAB it took over 90 minutes before power to the lines was switched off and paramedics were able to attend the man. Victoria Police and WorkSafe are investigating both incidents.
The fatalities draw attention to the hazards imposed by unpredictable and extreme weather conditions and the risks to workers. In the past WorkSafe has issued warnings on high winds and dangerous weather.
Brian Boyd, Secretary of the Victorian trades Hall Council said today, “Together with the entire Victorian union movement, I extend my condolences to the families, friends and workmates of those who have died in Victorian workplaces this week. We mourn these deaths and we resolve today to continue fighting for the rights of all workers to a safe and healthy work environment.”
These recent fatalities emphasise the need to continue to campaign for safe and healthy workplaces. SafetyNet reminds our readers that April 28 is International Workers Memorial Day. The traditional memorial event, in conjunction with IDSA and the ACTU, will be held at ‘The Rock’ at 10:20am, with a one minute silence at 11:00am. Refreshments will be provided afterwards.
Health and Safety reps should consider organising activities at their workplaces on the day as well. Materials are being developed for this purpose – more in the next edition of SafetyNet.
IWMD on OHS Reps
Sources: ABC Online, The Australian, WorkSafe
COAG commits to landmark OHS harmonisation agreement
Australia will have a national harmonised OHS framework. The historic agreement reached at the last COAG meeting in Adelaide recently will be signed in May and model legislation will be developed by September 2009.
Delivering on a key election commitment, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and the Premiers agreed that harmonising OHS laws was a ‘top priority’ for reforming regulations for industry.
COAG further agreed that governments should aspire to reduce the five-year implementation timeframe for OH&S and that it would consider the scope for a reduced implementation timetable at its meeting in July 2008.
COAG Communiqué
Gillard announces National review of OHS Laws
The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Julia Gillard, has announced a national review into model Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Laws.
The review will be conducted by an advisory panel to be chaired by Robin Stewart-Crompton. The other panel members are Freehills partner Barry Sherriff and former WA TLC Secretary Stephanie Mayman who is currently a Commissioner in the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission and Chairperson of WA’s OHS Tribunal.
The panel has been asked to report to the Workplace Relations Ministers' Council on the optimal structure and content of a model OHS act that is capable of being adopted in all jurisdictions. Read the terms of reference online.
ACTU News Release
WorkSafe Awards: Nominate now
You can nominate now for the WorkSafe awards. The awards categories are:
Health & Safety Committee of the Year, Health & Safety Representative of the Year, Best Design for Workplace Safety, Best Health & Safety Initiative for Small Business, Best Solution for Preventing Musculoskeletal Disorders, Best Solution to a Health & Safety Risk, and Best Strategy for Health & Safety Management.
The award winners will be announced during WorkSafe Week in October.
Nominate online or download the forms and send them in. These awards are a great chance to celebrate achievement in OHS in your workplace.
Asbestos News
Hazard alert – asbestos contaminated mastic
Recent site visits, conducted by the Plumbers Union after members raised concerns, found that there is the potential to be exposed to asbestos during refurbishment and demolition work.
One of many concerns is the presence of asbestos fibre contained in mastic, particularly in buildings pre-dating the 1980’s. Mastic is similar in appearance to silicone sealant, and can also be visually identified by its colour: usually a dull grey/green to black, used in similar situations as you might use silicone today.
Asbestos was used as a bonding agent in the mastic, and the asbestos fibres may not be easily seen. There is an increased risk that the asbestos fibre can become airborne and inhaled when disturbed due to the deterioration of the mastic over the period of time.
Places where you may find this material are:
- Between the frames of air-conditioning ducts
- As 'gapfiller' around pipework through walls
- On the external face of concrete beams and slabs we fix to (originally used in the formwork and left behind in the stripping process.)
Asbestos works begin despite unanswered questions
Asbestos removal at a 47-unit public housing redevelopment site at Roberts Street Northcote began this week despite community concerns about safety and lack of disclosure about the project.
Works commenced only three days after an Office of Housing public meeting at which serious community concerns were voiced and safety assurances sought.
Read more
UK: Asbestos survey call after teacher death
Teaching unions in the UK have called for all schools in Wales to be checked for asbestos after the death of a retired teacher from an asbestos cancer.
An inquest into the death of a 69 year old woman found she was most likely to have died from exposure to asbestos in a school building. Recording the cause of death as mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure, the coroner took the unusual step of writing to local councils informing them that the exposure most likely occurred in local schools.
The teaching union NUT says many more teachers, pupils and anyone working in or visiting schools, could have been affected and has urged local education authorities should check all schools.
Under Victorian law employers and people who manage or control workplaces have a regulatory duty to have an asbestos audit and keep it up to date. Read a summary of the regs on OHS Reps.
South Africa bans asbestos
South Africa has announced a prohibition on the use, processing or manufacturing, of any asbestos or asbestos containing products in a major victory for the global campaign against asbestos.
South Africa was a major supplier of asbestos to the world, producing 97% of the world’s crocidolite, 100% of the amosite and was the fifth largest producer of chrysotile. In regions where asbestos was mined there have been significant public health problems due to asbestos pollution leading to a national strategy to halt production of the product.
Canada and Zimbabwe remain significant producers of asbestos. There is international pressure on both industry and governments in these countries to ban asbestos. Hazards Magazine page on asbestos
Tell Canada to stop exporting asbestos – OHS Reps
Other Union News
Ambo fatigue: 87% say fatigue affects judgement at work
A survey of Victorian paramedics has found that fatigue is at dangerously high levels, with many admitting that they have fallen asleep at the wheel and made mistakes drawing up drugs.
Nearly 20 percent of all Victorian paramedics participated in the survey (347 responded). It was conducted online by Ambulance Employees Australia over February and early March this year.
Other findings include:
- One in ten say fatigue affects their judgment at work at least once a week;
- 73% say fatigue is caused by their workload during their shift;
- 27% have a diagnosed medical problem caused or exacerbated by work-related fatigue;
- 69% say fatigue affects their relationship with their partner;
- 52% say it affects their relationship with their children.
Steve McGhie, Ambulance Employees Australia State Secretary, said the findings are a wake up call to the government and Victoria’s ambulance services.
AEA news release
MUA “slave ship” captain caught out underpaying workers
The Captain of the DD Vanguard, a foreign unregulated ship operating on an Australian Government permit, has been caught out underpaying workers by more than $1000 a month while working in the domestic shipping trade.
The International Transport Workers Federation has called on the Federal Government to revoke the ship's permit until the wages and conditions of the workers are restored to ITF minimum standards.
An inspector from the ITF (International Transport Workers Federation) boarded the ship in Melbourne and discovered evidence that crew were being paid a little more than $100 per week.
MUA media release
Nurses in Qld far-north return to work
Nurses in the Torres Strait region of far north Queensland have agreed to return to work after a deal was reached to guarantee their safety. Many nurses on the remote islands had walked off the job over security concerns after the alleged rape of a colleague at Mabuiag Island on February 5.
Following a meeting of the Queensland Nurses Union (QNU) with executives of Queensland Health in a Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) hearing on Thursday Island, the union agreed to allow members back to work if safety conditions were improved.
Nurses will trial a new two- person on-call system over the next two to three weeks. The union says the IRC will reconvene at the end of the month to examine the progress of maintenance works in the communities.
OHS Reps – Violence at work
Source: ABC online
Public meetings proposed review of disinfectant regulation
Two public meetings have been announced on the proposed review of disinfectant regulation: Melbourne Monday April 7, 10.00am - 12.00 noon and 7.00pm - 9pm, at the Novotel Hotel on Collins, 270 Collins St Melbourne. For more information on the proposals go to the NICNAS webpage.
South African unions secure World Cup 2010 commitments
Three South African construction unions have some success in their campaign to ensure decent employment and safety standards in the industry in the lead-up to the 2010 World Cup.
Seb Blatter, president of FIFA, gave unions a commitment that he would bring their concerns to the government of South Africa, which will host the event, and the FIFA organising committee. Global building union federation BWI said the football supremo also 'agreed to include trade unions in his next inspection visit in the worksites and promised to continue the social dialogue and trade union engagements even in other continents where major football event will be held.'
BWI news release, FIFA news release
Risks 348
Research
Shiftworkers more likely to smoke and be overweight
The evidence showing the negative health impacts of shift work continues to grow. A new study from the University of Queensland reviewed published research focussing on links between shift work and health habits such as diet, exercise, smoking and drinking and body mass index (BMI).
They found that shift work has a negative impact on diet with people eating fewer meals per day and an increased likelihood of snacking on junk food. Shift workers are also more likely to smoke than non-shift workers.
Study - The impact of shift work on people’s daily health habits and adverse health outcomes; Zhao, Isabella and Turner, Catherine. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing Volume 25 Number 3 [PDF]
Falling asleep at work can improve memory
Falling asleep on the job for just a few minutes can improve your memory and mental performance, according to German researchers. Research conducted by Dr Olaf Lahl at the University of Dusseldorf, Germany, has shown that simply falling asleep does more than refresh the brain and can improve recall and mental efficiency.
According to the research a six-minute nap can have the same effect as night-time sleep on memory. In the study students were asked to memorise words and test their recall after an hour. Some were allowed to nap for six minutes.
Those that had a sleep displayed significant recall compared to those who stayed awake. Researchers say this is the first time that a very brief sleep has been shown to improve memory.
Study: Olaf Lahl, Christiane Wispel, Bernadette Willigens, Reinhard Pietrowsky (2008) An ultra short episode of sleep is sufficient to promote declarative memory performance, Journal of Sleep Research 17 (1)
WorkSafe News
Draft Compliance Codes released for public comment
The first set of the Compliance Codes, which under the 2004 OHS Act replace the Codes of Practice from the 1985 Act have been released for public comment. These are:
- Communicating Health & Safety Across Languages
- Workplace Amenities and Work Environment
- Lead
- Confined Spaces
- First Aid in the Workplace
- Prevention of Falls in General Construction
- Foundries
- Management of Asbestos in Workplaces
- Removal of Asbestos in Workplaces
The draft codes can be accessed from the VWA website or hard copies ordered.
The VTHC and many of our affiliates will be submitting public comment. Contact your union’s OHS officer for more information.
New construction safety rules from 1 July 2008
Victoria has introduced new safety regulations for the construction industry which will apply from 1 July 2008. In Victoria, health and safety in the construction industry has been regulated through the OHS Act and a number of hazard-specific regulations, such as those for falls prevention and plant, but not through construction-specific regulations.
The new requirements, which are consistent with the National Standard for Construction Work, build upon industry’s existing safety practices by setting out specific OHS responsibilities for principal contractors, employers, workers and self-employed people.
The new regulations include requirements for:
- employees are to be given safety induction training before undertaking construction work
- employees are to be trained about site-specific risks and safety measures before starting work on a construction site
- principal contractors are to prepare health and safety co-ordination plans for construction projects costing $250,000 or more
- employers and self employed people are to prepare safe work method statements for defined types of high-risk construction work
Read more: OHS Reps page on New Construction Regs
New Vic licensing system
People who operate forklifts, cranes and a wide range of other high-risk equipment as well as those working in a number of occupations under ‘Certificates of competency’ or ‘tickets’ need to switch to the new 'Licence to Perform High Risk Work’.
All certificates of competency expire between 31 January 2008 and 30 June 2012, depending on when they were first issued. Certificates issued before July 1978 and 30 June 1990 expire during 2008.
The new licence is being introduced to align Victoria with national safety standards. It includes a photograph to reduce fraudulent activity and improve interstate recognition of current skills. They need to be renewed every five years.
National campaign to reduce hospital worker injuries
A national campaign - ‘Safe Steps: National Hospital Intervention and Compliance Campaign’ - aimed at reducing the number of slip, trip and manual-task injuries sustained by non-clinical hospital workers is now underway. Heads of Workplace Safety Authorities chair, John Watson, said the health and community services industry is a key contributor to the high levels of slip, trip and manual-task injuries in Australia. The campaign will involve workplace health and safety inspectors auditing hospitals nationally, focusing on the control of manual task, slip and trip risks
New publications:
- Three new bullying publications from WorkCover NSW – go to this page
- Separation of cattle and people while loading cattle at saleyards. This health and safety solution provides simple design solutions for preventing injuries while loading cattle at saleyards - read more here.
Worksafe Prosecutions
Fosters pleads guilty to workplace safety charges
Fosters Australia Limited pleaded guilty in the Magistrates Court to two workplace safety charges following the death of a worker on 13 April 2006. The charges were laid under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004.
Magistrate Barbara Cottrell was told a Wantirna man was crushed between a handrail and the door of a machine which took empty bottles from pallets before they were filled with beer at the company’s Abbotsford plant. A plea hearing is scheduled for 24 July 2008 at the Melbourne County Court.
Company guilty of not helping injured worker back to work
A company has been fined in the Magistrates Court for failing to prepare a return to work plan for an injured worker. Staff and administration services company, T.D Admin Enterprises Pty Ltd, pleaded guilty in the Dandenong Magistrates Court on 31 March and was fined $2000.
The Court heard that the worker suffered a back injury in December 2006. Despite her workers compensation claim being accepted, T.D Admin Enterprises failed to prepare a return to work plan within the legally required 10 days.
A plan was not completed until nearly five months later, despite the worker initiating contact on several occasions to discuss her return to work. T.D Admin Enterprises was charged with not complying with workers compensation laws.
WorkSafe media release
International News
UK: New chemicals health monitor online
The UK Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) has launched a new Chemicals Health Monitor website that provides information about chemicals and related diseases. The new resource provides information about the links between chemical contaminants and ill health. There's also information on risk factors associated with these different human health conditions, trends in specific disease incidence, and disease-specific costs.
HEAL news release Chemicals Health Monitor website
EU: European Comparisons 2005
The latest comparisons for 2005 provide workplace injury statistics for most countries in the European Union. These latest comparisons are based on Eurostat data and presented on updated web pages on the Health and Safety Executive site. According to the site a European worker is involved in an accident every five seconds.
Events
Safety in action
April 29-May 1 Safety Institute of Australia, Melbourne, Ph (03) 9654 7773 or email safety@aec.net.au. Details: www.safetyinaction.net.au.
ACTU Training: Certificate IV in Occupational Health and Safety - Blended Course
This course is for union trainers who deliver OHS training, union officials and organisers involved in OHS issues and safety reps who wish to gain a formal qualification and increase their knowledge and involvement in OHS application and policy-making in Australian workplaces.The Blended Course in particular is aimed at those currently working in the Australian union movement: Union Representatives; Officials; Organisers and health and safety representatives or trainers wishing to increase their knowledge and involvement in OHS application and policy-making in Australian workplaces.
Melbourne: 29 April - 1 May, 11 - 12 June and 17 July 2008
Course Details
Training at VTHC
The OHS Training Unit has a range of courses coming up in 2008. Check out the training page of the website for all the latest news and sign up for courses.
Contact Judith Rodda on 03 9663 5460 for more information on scheduled courses or what we can do for your workplace, and to enrol.
Initial 5-Day Metropolitan (for Elected OHS Reps under the Victorian OHS Act - this course is approved by the VWA under Section 67)
April 16, 17, 18, 21, 22 Health Services Carlton
May 5 – 9 General Carlton
June 2 – 6 Health Services Carlton
Course hours: 9am - 5pm. Course fee $620.00Initial 5-Day Country
May 19 – 23 courses in Geelong and Wodonga
May 26 – 30 courses in Bendigo and Ballarat
Course hours: 9am - 5pm. Course fee $650.00Comcare 5-Day Ohs Reps Course (for Elected OHS Reps under the Comcare Act)
April 28 - May 2 Carlton
Course hours: 9am - 5pm. Course fee $650.002-Day Metropolitan
(for managers, supervisors and committee members. It is NOT a replacement for the VWA approved 5-day training for elected reps.)
May 15, 16 Carlton
Course hours: 9.30am - 4.30pm. Course fee $350.001-Day Refresher
The Refresher course is approved by the VWA under Section 67 of the Victorian OHS Act 2004 for elected reps and deputies.
April 23 Legislative Update Carlton
April 24 Psychological Hazards Carlton
Course hours: 9am - 4.30pm. Course fee $180.00
Go to the 2008 Training program page to download an application form.